What Happens When You Pull Out All The Stops On The Red Carpet

While the Grammys, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and everything in-between give stars a chance to flaunt off their edgier, less-formal side, the Oscars are stars' opportunities to really floor it, and pull out all the stops, cash in on all their favors, and make sure their red carpet look is as good as it possibly can be. For some, good means really, really fancy — which is fine! — but we're more interested in those stars that know how to translate their charisma, charm, and talent (you now, the kind of things that win them awards) into a look that says "I deserve to be here."

While we know most people can't keep their focus from floating towards Leo's will-he-or-won't-he moment, we're just as thrilled by the dresses that made our hearts flutter: think Alicia Vikander's princess moment (where she literally channeled Belle from Beauty and the Beast), Saoirse Ronan's sweet nod to her home country of Ireland, and newcomer Daisy Ridley's most stunning look yet. See the drop-dead style from this year's Academy Awards red carpet, ahead.

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Photo: Todd Williamson/Getty Images.

Our first statement choker sighting of the evening goes to Olivia Wilde, who said she and her white Valentino Haute Couture dress would be avoiding hugs all evening. The best part about this gown, though (and it's not the plunging neckline or pleated silk)? It's actually better from the back.

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There were two major components to Saiorse Ronan's green sequined custom Calvin Klein Collection dress: 1. It was same shade as the dress she wore to her very first awards show (cue the awwwws), and 2) She chose to wear emerald this time around to represent her love for Ireland, her home country.

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Sophie Turner's dress may have been simple, but it carried a powerful message. The Game of Thrones actress hit the red carpet in a completely sustainable look, Galvan dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, and Tiffany & Co. jewelry included. Plus, we love how the gray-green matched her eye color so perfectly.

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While we normally love Mindy Kaling in an extra-bright hue, her contrasting black-and-blue Elizabeth Kennedy dress hit two of our favorite trends right on the head: the off-the-shoulder neckline and the caped silhouette.

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Newcomer Daisy Ridley didn't just steal the show in Star Wars: The Force Awakens — she might have just stolen the Oscar red carpet, too. But then again, who wouldn't in the most perfect Chanel Couture dress, ever?

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If anyone had a princess moment on the red carpet this evening, it was Alicia Vikander — and it was in the most literal sense. The actress opted for an pale yellow, custom Louis Vuitton gown with silver embellishments that reminded us of Belle from Beauty and the Beast (in the best way possible). Though the selection was an unexpected choice for both Vikander and Vuitton, we appreciated the subtle hints to the house's aesthetic, like the bubble skirt trend we saw on the brand's spring 2016 runway.

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Is the Troll-jewel cut-out the next big thing in dresses? It may sound weird, but on Rooney Mara's white lace Givenchy dress, it makes us hope the style goes mainstream.

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Though it wasn't her usual Tom Ford piece, Julianne Moore's Chanel Couture dress was simple and to the point — with the focus on the subtly bedazzled bodice.

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For her big night, many expected Brie Larson to go all out. While her bright blue Gucci dress might not have been the showstopper most hoped for, we love how the sheer paneling sits over the neckline, how the ruffles fall all the way down the skirt, and how the silver belt gives the look a bit of an edge. That, and the fact that it's Gucci. Obviously.

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Dress for the job you want, right? If there was one dress at tonight's Academy Awards that best resembled the Oscar itself, it was Margot Robbie's incredibly stunning gold Tom Ford dress, which featured long sleeves and a fully sequined silhouette, and Forevermark diamonds.

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Costume designer Sandy Powell (who's a nominee at tonight's ceremony) did her best Bowie with a patterned suit (wide-legged pants included) and a fiery-orange chop. If only E! did her killer look justice by not mistaking her for Tilda Swinton...and proceeding to refer to her as such for five long minutes.

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Singer Andra Day serves up a dose of Old Hollywood glamour with a sleek yellow dress that hangs slightly off-the-shoulder. We're getting serious Marilyn Monroe vibes from this.

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Chrissy Teigen's pregnancy glow is just as prevalent on the red carpet as it is in her Instagrams. Her embroidered, sheer Marchesa dress harkens us back to thatKim Kardashian gown.

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One look at Charlotte Rampling in this simple, but seriously chic, Armani dress and we've decided we want to look like that right now — let alone when we're 70.

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Leave it to Lady Gaga to bring a pantsuit to the red carpet — and absolutely nail it. The actress and singer had five custom dresses to choose from by her good friend and longtime stylist, Brandon Maxwell, but it was this structured top and trouser set that ultimately won Mother Monster (and us all!) over.

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Two baby bumps on the carpet is better than one. Emily Blunt shows off baby number two in the prettiest Prada piece. The empire-waist gown created a sleek and flattering silhouette, made even better by the embroidered crystal design and some Sophia Webster shoes.

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Jennifer Garner has had quite a week. On the heels of the release of her Vanity Fair cover (which included her first major interview since her divorce), the actress hit the red carpet in a strong and dramatic Versace gown. Let's just say she was making quite the statement, in more ways than one.

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There's no more dramatic way to make an entrance (and an exit) than with an insanely long train. Rachel McAdams' dark green silk number from August Getty Atelier — a designer to watch! — featured just that.

You know the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?" Well, Cate Blanchett has found her niche with beautifully colored, embroidered Armani dresses. This year was no exception. The seafoam green number with 3-D flowers channeled her look from the 2014 Academy Awards and it worked just as well.

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It's no secret that Charlize Theron j'adores Dior. So while this red, extremely plunging gown from the designer wasn't quite a surprise, it gave us that perfect slice of sexy that only someone like Theron can exude.

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We've seen so many sequins on the red carpet this year. Give it to Kerry Washington to completely flip the trend-spotting game on its head and counter it with a BDSM-leaning ensemble. Her leather bodice has us and Christian Grey applauding.

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Kate Winslet's Ralph Lauren dress had all eyes and angles on her the minute she stepped out. The custom silk lamé gives off a holographic feel that had us clicking through a few photos to nail down what exactly was happening. Was this a print? A big squiggle? A sheen? We give this 10 out of 10 for the most eye-catching detail of the night. (That, and those shimmery Nirav Modi jewels).

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Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.

Jennifer Lawrence may have timed her last-minute red-carpet entrance to try to "save the best for last." The Joy star brought it back to basics in a sheer-underlay Dior gown. The peekaboo ruffled lace petticoat is a seriously sexy move. It's a refreshing pick from our favorite Dior spokesperson.